THERE’S HOPE AGAINST CANCER.
John Alex guides and leads the organization's efforts to fulfill its mission and effectively address the challenges associated with cancer prevention, treatment, research, and support, as well as in shaping public policy and raising awareness. He Leads the development and execution of cancer prevention, education, support, and research programs. Ensures that programs are evidence-based and aligned with the organization's mission. He also works closely with the board of directors to ensure effective governance of the organization by establishing strategic priorities and long-term goals to guide the organization's activities. John Alex oversees fundraising efforts to secure financial resources needed to support the organization's programs and initiatives and ensures that the organization adheres to all applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards in its activities and operations.
Contact: jmuyita@accruganda.org
Dr. Annet is a cancer epidemiologist who created and established the organization. She conceived the idea, developed the vision and mission, and took the necessary steps to bring the organization into existence in order to fight cancer through research and the law. She leads and manages the research and innovation activities within the organization by developing and implementing a strategic research plan aligned with the organization's goals and objectives, Identifying and securing funding sources for research projects, including grants, contracts, partnerships, and internal budgets, managing the team of researchers, scientists, and innovators. She oversees the planning, execution, and completion of research projects and ensures that research and innovation activities meet high-quality standards and adhere to ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements. She also advocates for policies and regulations that support research and innovation.
Contact: annetnakaganda@accruganda.org
Hillary plays a crucial role in shaping the organization's policies, managing its reputation, and ensuring that it effectively communicates with both internal and external stakeholders. She is responsible for developing, reviewing, and updating the organization's policies and procedures. After policies are established or updated, she is responsible for ensuring that they are effectively implemented throughout the organization. She also manages public relations, media relations, internal communications, and crisis communication. Hillary further provides guidance on cancer ethical issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and privacy rights.
Contact: ahataro@accruganda.org
Beatrice provides support with clinical decision-making to the organization. She ensures that individuals have access to reliable and up-to-date information about their condition, treatment options, and available support, provides guidance on ethical issues related to cancer treatment, and listens to the patient's concerns.
Contact: bknamuwaya@accruganda.org
Dr. Fred Okuku
Consultant oncologist & senior cancer researcher, UCI
Professor Dr. Monique Gary is a USA-based breast surgical oncologist specializing in the treatment of both benign and malignant breast diseases. She currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Co-chair of the Bexa Equity Alliance, where she leverages her expertise as a community health expert and health equity consultant. Dr. Gary is also the breast surgical oncologist for Pennsylvania, serving Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.
She earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her general surgery training at UMass, followed by a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Gary holds faculty appointments in surgery and is an adjunct associate professor at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. Additionally, she contributes as a medical advisor for national breast cancer advocacy organizations.
In addition to her medical career, Dr. Gary is the CEO of Still Rise Farms, a 40-acre farm established as a “wellness incubator” to support cancer patients and under-resourced, marginalized communities.
Email: monique.gary@mybexa.com
Lawyer Associate
Nansubuga, Awelo & Co. Advocates
Dr Gerald Mutungi
Asst. Commissioner NCD, MOH
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Uganda Christian University, with a specialization in Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. As the Founder of GILO Young Positives Foundation, she is a dedicated HIV advocate and activist, passionately working toward a world free from HIV and the realization of an HIV-free generation.
She is also the reigning Miss Uganda Rising Woman (2019–2022) and serves as the Global Ambassador for Students HIV Awareness (SHIVA).
Dr. Annet Nakaganda, is a Clinical Officer and a Cancer Epidemiologist with expertise in conducting clinical trials and epidemiological research for cancer control. She holds a Ph.D. in medicine, a Master’s degree in public Health (with Distinction) from the University of Manchester United Kingdom, and a BSc. in Psychology from Makerere University Kampala. Dr. Nakaganda has been involved in clinical research for over 20 years now, holding numerous positions such as principal investigator, research clinician; research coordination; research governance, and research monitoring/auditing. Dr. Nakaganda's clinical research career began in the early 2000s, with clinical trials aiming at HIV Prevention of mother-child transmission (PMTCT). This research includes the seminal HIV Network for Prevention Trials (HIVNET) trial number 012, which resulted in the widespread adoption of single-dose Nevirapine, an effective, low-cost PMTCT strategy at the time. She later transitioned to cancer research, helping to establish the Uganda Cancer Institute’s Research and Training Directorate as well as the Cancer Epidemiology and Clinical Trials Unit. She has also worked to build the Uganda National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and led the harmonization of East African cancer registration guidelines and procedures. Also, Annet has extensive international exposure and has worked at the NHS Manchester Royal Infirmary Hospital on COVID-19 trials and Heamato-oncology clinical trials including CAR T-Cell therapy clinical trials.
Dr. Nakaganda is also interested in higher education curriculum and pedagogy and has training and experience teaching at the university level. She began her teaching career in 2016 as a Teaching Associate (TA) at The University of Manchester's Masters of Public Health Program(MPH) and at the BSc. Biomedical science course, Biochemistry of Disease unit. Also, Annet supported the design and development of The University of Manchester's BSc. in Public Health course. She is presently a subject matter expert (SME) and lecturer on the MSc. Clinical Research and MSc. Public Health and Health Promotion curricula at the iHeed-University of Warwick. She also teaches Research Ethics and Good Clinical Practice and has taught over 600 researchers in Research Ethics through around 50 in-country training. Annet has received numerous accolades and has been published in peer-reviewed international journals and conferences.
Her recent and ongoing work focuses on expanding best practices for cancer research and control and exploring novel approaches for accelerating the timely availability/utilization of locally generated evidence/data to direct cancer control efforts in low-resource settings. Her specialties include:
1. Clinical trials
2. Evidence-based practice
3. Cancer Epidemiology
4. Cancer surveillance, registration, and survivorship
5. Cancer control
6. Higher Education Curriculum and Pedagogy
Email: annetnakaganda@accruganda.org
Dr. Fred Okuku is a consultant oncologist and a senior cancer researcher based at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). Dr. Okuku has held significant leadership roles in cancer research since the 2000s when he became a research investigator with the UCI/Hutchinson Center Cancer Alliance and a principal investigator for the ACTG/AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC) studies at Uganda Cancer Institute. His long-term commitment to cancer research has led to the reorganization of the UCI Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) to its current structure, a task facilitated by skills acquired during the 20 years of experience in cancer Clinical trials. He specializes in breast and prostate cancers as well as HIV-associated malignancies, where he has studied the epidemiology of these cancers in Uganda and developed safe and effective methods to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat these cancers.
Email: fred.okuku@uci.or.ug
Dr. Kasadhakawo is currently a physician at the Central Bank Clinic where some of his roles are to provide clinical services to patients in a timely manner and appropriate referral of patients, Follow-up referred patients in hospitals or at home, Counseling patients, Participate in the general administration of the medical department, His a training Liaison officer concerned with scheduling training for different medical staff, Provide technical support to laboratory technologists. As a Ministry of Health accredited continuous professional development (CPD) provider, his involved in signing off staff with regards to CPD hours obtained for purposes of renewal of Annual Practicing Licenses, Offering free hematology consultations to bank patients, Work plan formulation and budgeting, Strategy implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation activities and Performance Appraisal of Medical Staff Members
Community Activities at the Central Bank Clinic:
· Planning for institutional corporate social responsibility activities like renovation and equipping of upcountry health centers
· Recommendation to central bank management for community members seeking financial support for medical related expenses both in Uganda and overseas mainly for cancer care and heart-related complications
He has also worked as a Physician/Hematologist for Mulago National Referral Hospital where he Headed Hematology unit (2010-2012) involved in clinical care, teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students. The young doctors were then deployed in rural areas to treat patients in hard-to-reach areas and bridge the high doctor-patient ratio gaps. Supervising research projects for postgraduate students, International Outreach Program Coordinator for Makerere-McMaster University collaboration, where he was involved in scheduling visits for international professors and students, from the USA and Canada, organizing their clinical rotations onwards and appraising both students and visiting professors on performance.
He was also a medical officer at Kyenjojo District Local Government where he conducted community sensitizations and Health Education to create awareness about HIV/AIDS through local leaders, religious leaders, and political leaders, this encouraged the community to test for HIV/AIDS, many clients were identified and started on anti-retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS. This prevented deaths and the resulting child-headed families and double orphans. Trained Muslims across 17 mosques within Kyenjojo district on the use of Local anesthesia in conducting male medical circumcision; this helped improve healing as surgery was pain-free and safely done, Implemented the global vaccine initiative program of the Ministry of Health that led to transition from the triple vaccine to the Pentavalent vaccine to include vaccination against hepatitis B and Influenza in children in 2003 that had claimed so many lives. He also has over 11 publications.
Ziyada Babirye is a Research fellow, Psychologist, and Medical Clinician with over 10 years of practical experience in research and clinical work and an excellent reputation for resolving problems and improving beneficiary/client satisfaction.
Ziyada's incredible journey, a lively and accomplished person who has made a lasting impact on the healthcare industry. Her career as a clinical officer, community psychologist, and health services researcher has been marked by tenacity, empathy, and tireless dedication to enhancing healthcare and community well-being.
Ziyada investigates the connection between community dynamics and mental health in her work as a community psychologist. She provides an in-depth understanding of the significant influence social elements have on people's well-being. She has conducted healthcare economic evaluation studies involving preterm care, Multi-country studies involving Covid-19 assessment, Health worker incentives during the pandemic response, Infection Prevention and control practices for Ebola, and HIV, and community health worker studies among others. When designing interventions to address the underlying causes of health inequalities, she immerses herself in various communities, embracing their own strengths and problems.
She is seasoned in bridging the gap between clinical practice and research as her contributions to research are recognized. She holds excellent qualitative and quantitative research skills including data analysis and points out her aptitude for smoothly converting scientific discoveries into observable advancements in patient care. Her research-backed programs encourage collaboration in healthcare by empowering both patients and community people.
She has written and published articles in prestigious journals and the contributions she has made to the creation of healthcare policies. Her work is well-regarded in the academic community, and her dedication to front-line clinical work keeps her in touch with the essence of healthcare.
She has a positive influence on her patient's lives and the communities she supports. Her community engagement activities and patient-centered methodology promote trust and long-lasting transformation.
She embraces her role as a mentor and educator as her influence grows. Her mentoring gives others the skills they need to continue her compassion and evidence-based medicine legacy.
Ziyada’s career trajectory from caring clinical officer to trailblazing community psychologist to renowned health systems researcher is evidence of the transformational impact of commitment and empathy in healthcare. Her unwavering dedication to treatment, research, and community empowerment inspires medical professionals worldwide.
Email: babirye37@gmail.com
Hanipha’s qualifications include Fundamentals of Clinical Trials course (University of London), Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Post-Grad (ACREM-Applied Clinical Research Course& evidence-based Medicine) and she is a Certified EAE trainer of NIH / Technical Resources International, Inc., training in Zambia, South Africa &Tanzania.
Hanipha trained healthcare workers in Uganda with the PharmAccess Foundation in the Netherlands. She has also worked as a GCP trainer and Clinical Operations Manager at the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health & Development (AIGHD) in Uganda and supported the local CRAs & Ph.D. students to comply with ICH-GCP regulations for their research to produce quality data.
With 16 years experience as CRA in Africa managing interventional & observational studies majorly in Malaria, HIV, and Tuberculosis, in Uganda, South Africa, Tanzania, Gabon, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kenya, Hanipha is conversant with US regulations, ICH GCP guidelines & local country requirements governing clinical research in the countries where she has operated.
YOUNG INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Angella is a qualified medical doctor and a Young Investigator at the Ananda Center for Cancer Research. As part of the research team, she brings clinical insight and a strong commitment to advancing cancer research. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between medical practice and scientific inquiry to improve outcomes for patients and communities affected by cancer.
Agnes Hillary Ataro
Agnes Hillary Ataro is a dedicated legal professional and advocate with a Bachelor of Laws degree from Uganda Christian University (UCU) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (LDC). As the Head of Legal Team at the Ananda Center for Cancer Research (ACCR), Agnes plays a pivotal role in providing legal counsel and representation for the organization across a wide range of matters.
Her responsibilities include conducting in-depth legal research, offering strategic legal guidance, and ensuring compliance with national and international legal standards. Agnes is instrumental in the organization’s advocacy and lobbying efforts, working to advance ACCR’s policy goals and promoting its mission to combat cancer through education, research, and legal frameworks.
Agnes ensures the rights and ethical considerations of cancer patients are upheld, particularly in critical areas such as informed consent, confidentiality, and privacy. She also oversees the management and protection of intellectual property arising from the organization’s groundbreaking research and innovation activities, including patents, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Maureen Rosereen Nabulya
Maureen Rosereen Nabulya is a distinguished lawyer and legal consultant with extensive experience in providing strategic legal guidance and support. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Uganda Christian University (UCU) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (LDC).
As a Legal Advisor at the Ananda Center for Cancer Research (ACCR), Maureen plays a vital role in ensuring the organization operates within the bounds of the law while supporting its mission to combat cancer through research, education, and advocacy. Her dedication to excellence and her passion for making a positive impact align seamlessly with ACCR’s values.
Toni Treasure Nahyuha
Nahuhya Toni Treasure is a skilled legal professional with a Bachelor of Laws degree from Uganda Christian University (UCU). As a member of the legal team at the Ananda Center for Cancer Research (ACCR), she plays an integral role in ensuring the organization’s operations align with legal and ethical standards.
Toni brings a unique perspective to the team through her active involvement in community outreach and education initiatives. She collaborates with various stakeholders to raise awareness about cancer law and patient rights, fostering a better understanding of the legal protections available to individuals and families affected by cancer.
Toni’s dedication to justice, coupled with her passion for advocacy, significantly contributes to ACCR’s mission of improving cancer care and policy development across Uganda.
VOLUNTEER OPERATIONS LEAD
Constance is a dedicated and detail-oriented Volunteer Coordinator at ACCR with a strong passion for community service. Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, she brings focus, discipline, and a solutions-oriented mindset to both her academic and volunteer work. Her excellent teamwork and communication skills make her an invaluable part of the ACCR team, where she plays a central role in coordinating and supporting volunteer initiatives.